PublicSource is teaming up with six other news organizations to cover what often seems to be the most underappreciated water asset in the country: the Ohio River. The Ohio River provides drinking water for five million people, and it’s a thoroughfare of business, supporting jobs and communities. But it’s also commonly cited as the most polluted river in the United States.

Our project, entitled Good River: Stories of the Ohio, will delve into the past, present and future of this watershed region and aim to educate and surprise you at the same time. Our journalism will share with you the beauty of the Ohio River and its watershed (e.g. epic scenery and close-up wildlife) as well as the threats facing it.

You can help our seven-newsroom coalition tell stories that envision a better future for the Ohio.

The project will launch Nov. 14, but you can start participating now!

Introducing Good River texts. Here’s how it works:

  • Text “OHIO” to 412-528-6575. (Note that standard message rates apply and you can opt out anytime by texting STOP.)
  • Follow the prompts to introduce yourself to us.
  • Share your story, tip, concern, question or photo with us.
  • We’ll text you with questions and information in return. (You can opt out easily if you hit your max on Ohio River knowhow.)

You can also submit your phone number here if you want us to text you with updates.


Know more than you did before? Support this work with a MATCHED gift!

Through Dec. 31, the Wyncote Foundation, Loud Hound Foundation and our generous local match pool supporters will match your new monthly donation 12 times or double your one-time gift, all up to $1,000. Now that's good news!

Readers tell us they can't find the information they get from our reporting anywhere else, and we're proud to provide this important service for our community. We work hard to produce accurate, timely, impactful journalism without paywalls that keeps our region informed and moving forward.

However, only about .1% of the people who read our stories contribute to our work financially. Our newsroom depends on the generosity of readers like yourself to make our high-quality local journalism possible, and the costs of the resources it takes to produce it have been rising, so each member means a lot to us.

Your MATCHED donation to our nonprofit newsroom helps ensure everyone in Allegheny County can stay up-to-date about decisions and events that affect them. Please make your gift of support now.

GIVE NOW